Club Chronicles: Local Education Retirees hear legislation update

The Franklin County Education Retirees Association met March 20 in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church.
Nancy Cooper presented the invocation and a brief institute on The Healing Place, which is located in Muscle Shoals. Its mission is to offer support to grieving children and families in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance to promote a sense of well-being and productivity. The Healing Place provides weekly support groups for children and teens between the ages of 5-19.
Guest speaker was Jill Jackson, executive director of the Alabama Education Retirees Association. She reported on some issues that were being considered during this legislative session. Some of these issues included the Education Trust Fund, COLA, retirees insurance and other benefits.
She also reported the United HealthCare Insurance contract will be renegotiated this year. Also discussed was Sen. McClendon’s lottery bill that he is sponsoring.
Mrs. Jackson invited retirees to attend the Legislative Advocacy Day in Montgomery April 16. More than 300 retirees have registered to attend this event.
All retirees and current educators need to be encouraged to get involved in legislation that affects them and their future. Another date of importance to retirees is the AERA annual meeting that will be held at the Pelham Civic Complex in May.
Sandy Gibson, president, requested members to turn in their community service hours to Faye Swinney, chairman.
The meeting closed with the drawing for a door prize Next month’s meeting will be held at the First United Methodist Church.

Club Chronicles is written by Susie Hovater Malone.